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JosephH2 (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 57
Posted:
I’m HOA president of a development with 75 homes. 2/3 townhouses and 1/3 semi-detached. Our lots are small and the front lawns of the townhouses are tiny.

We have two homeowners who let their dogs poop in their own front yards and do not clean it up immediately. It is often left to accumulate for days and is only a few feet from the front doors of the neighboring townhouses.

The neighbors have complained to the Board and we are not sure what to do.

Our Township has a vaguely worded Ordinance:

“Section 5-4003 Nuisance/Sanitary Conditions.
1. It shall be unlawful for any person(s), corporation, partner¬ship or other entity whatsoever, to harbor, care for, shelter or maintain any animal in such a manner as to disturb or unduly annoy the public through the animal’s noise, barking, smell, mischief or other harmful propensities. All animal pens or other areas in which animals are kept shall be maintained in a sanitary condition free of offen¬sive, obnoxious or foul odors.”

Our Declaration has a vaguely worded rule:

“It is the responsibility of each Unit Owner to prevent the occurrence or continuation of any unclean, unhealthy, unsightly, or unkempt condition on his or her Unit.”

We have sent out a notice last month to all homeowners quoting the above ordinance and rule and asking dog owners to not leave poop on their lawns for extended periods, but nothing has changed.

Any advice would be appreciated.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
As an individual, I'd contact the health department and see if they have any codes that would apply.

As an Association, you should take pictures (perhaps 2-3 days in a row) with a date/time stamp and then simply go through your enforcement procedure.
CarolR11 (Colorado)
Posts: 2,563
Posted:
I really like Tim's advice. Photos and calls to hearings before the Board if they don't comply. (Just don't shoot 'em.) I think your own docs are clear enough on this matter.

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